We’re going to read some of the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5 in just a moment, but flip over to Matthew 20:24. Two of Jesus’ disciples ask for
positions of high rank in Jesus’ coming kingdom… actually get their mother to ask for them. Other disciples get upset, not because it was rude or selfish, but because...

When God tells us love is the most important thing, He also tells us that “just loving God” isn’t the ONLY thing… we are to give Him everything AND we are to love everyone. And this is true even if we don’t want to or even if we don’t like everyone. Which is why we need each other.

It’s true, we are all part of the body of Christ and each one of us is a part of it (see I Corinthians 12:27). The work we are called to do matters, it is important. But today, we need to remember why we matter…and it’s not because of the work.

On Easter Sunday, we remember and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, because without this, we would have no salvation. But have you ever wondered, “Well, how did people BEFORE Jesus have salvation? How did they know they were going to Heaven when they died?”

Too often, we think that “church” only takes place inside the church building. Praise the Lord that “church” is going on much more than just an hour a week! It better. Because we can and should and need to do the work of the church outside as well as inside. So why don’t we do more outside? It may be because of how we see those outside.

Being a shepherd isn’t always physically hard… but it demands time and the right attitude. Sheep will be difficult at times, they will always find trouble. Our Lord Jesus not only tells us to feed His lambs, but to go outside and find them, just as He did.

Hopefully, we’re all looking forward to spring and less-restrictive COVID-19 policies so we can get outside again. But people, and churches, can turn inward and prefer the safety and familiarity of staying inside. Which is why our Lord Jesus reminds us in John 21:15 that if we love Him, then we’ll love those who are still lost outside.

Most of us like hearing a secret. Paul shares a secret with us that really shouldn’t be a secret… but it should be shared with everyone.

Even a strong and healthy tree branch will not last long if it doesn’t remain a part of the tree. Jesus reminds His followers of this in John 15:1-17